BOLD PREDICTIONS: The 2026 NFL Season

Every year around this time, we gather the RSR staff in a dimly lit room, pour something brown into a glass, and ask them to embarrass themselves in print. We call it Bold Predictions. Legally, we’re required to tell you that “bold” is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Here’s the thing about bold predictions: nobody remembers the ones that hit, and everybody remembers the guy who guaranteed 14 sacks from a rookie who spent September inactive. That’s the deal. You want credit for calling the breakout? Then you accept the group text in January where your own colleagues resurface your take like it’s evidence at trial.

So we’ve set the bar simply. No “the Ravens will make the playoffs.” That’s not a prediction, that’s a weather report. No “Lamar will be really good.” Congratulations, you’ve noticed. If it wouldn’t make a Steelers fan spit out his Iron City, it doesn’t belong here.

What follows are takes that range from defensible to certifiable. Some of these guys did research. Some of these guys watched one preseason drive and had a vision. You won’t be able to tell which is which, and honestly, neither can we.

Screenshot your favorites. We’ll be doing the same.

Tony Lombardi

Get out the darts. Bring on the blindfold. Point me in the direction of the dartboard without spinning me around and let me fire away.

AFC

1. Ravens — Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow both missed big chunks of 2025, which is how Pittsburgh backed into the North on a Week 18 win. A healthy Jackson plus the league’s shortest odds in the division make the Ravens my No. 1 seed. This isn’t homer-ism. This is just a gut feel stemming from the good vibes emanating from 1 Winning Drive.
2. Bills — Buffalo added DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb under new head coach Joe Brady. Coin-flip with New England, but I’ll take the roster with the longer track record.
3. Texans — they won 12 of their last 14 in 2025 and open as division favorites over the 13-4 Jaguars. C.J. Stroud is betting on himself to earn $60M per annum beginning next year. They’ll win with defense, not the overrated Stroud.
4. Chiefs — Denver’s 11-2 record in one-score games screams regression, and Mahomes is expected to be healthy by Week 1. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are happy again. Oh, hold that thought…

Wild cards: Patriots (5), Bengals (6), Chargers (7)

NFC

1. Rams — the Myles Garrett trade made them the NFC West favorite, and their win total climbed from 10.5 to 11.5 with the over still favored. Oh, and this new guy named Aaron Donald might help a little too.
2. Lions — a bounce-back after a down 2025, in a division where all four teams finished above .500. Thinnest margin of any of my picks; this division could go in four different directions.
3. Eagles — the East is much tougher now, with an improved Dallas defense, a healthy Jayden Daniels, and John Harbaugh in New York, but Philly still has the best roster. Addition by the subtraction of A.J. Brown?
4. Saints — Carolina won it at 8-9 last year and all four teams sit at +425 or shorter. Genuine four-way toss-up; I’m taking a flyer on the weakest division in the NFL.

Wild cards: Seahawks (5), Packers (6), Cowboys (7)

Playoff Picture

AFC

1.  Baltimore Ravens — 12–5
   2. New England Patriots — 11–6
   3. Houston Texans — 11–6
   4. Kansas City Chiefs — 11–6
   5. Cincinnati Bengals — 11–6
   6. Denver Broncos — 10–7
   7. Los Angeles Chargers — 10–7

NFC

1. Los Angeles Rams — 13–4
   2. Detroit Lions — 12–5
   3. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6
   4. New Orleans — 9-8
   5. Seattle Seahawks — 12–5
   6. Green Bay Packers — 11–6
   7. Dallas Cowboys 10-7

AFC Championship Game: Ravens 30, Bengals 23

NFC Championship Game: Rams 24, Seahawks 20

Super Bowl LXI: Rams 23, Ravens 20

Rob Shields

OPOY

Jahmyr Gibbs. He was my pick last year and I’m sticking with him again. I expect a big year out of the Lions and he will be a big reason why.

DPOY:

Myles Garrett: Hard to not go with him. With Donald back and the back end being really strong, I think Garrett gets a ton of sacks again this year. It will also help that they will be on national TV a lot.

OROY

Jeremiah Love: Cardinals don’t have a lot going for them but Love has a chance to be special.  Don’t be surprised if his college teammate, Jadarian Price, wins this award though.

DROY

Caleb Downs: The new Kyle Hamilton and he goes to the highest profile team in the league.

NFL MVP

Josh Allen: I have a lot of doubts for several of the top QBs this year but I think this award comes down to Allen and Lamar. I think it ends up being a toss-up and the media goes with Allen since Lamar already has 2 and Allen has 1. I think that narrative will matter.

AFC Champion

I think we are back to the idea that one of Buffalo, Baltimore or KC make the Super bowl. KC has a very soft early schedule. They can pile up wins early while Mahomes gets the knee right and the young players learn to gel. Buffalo will continue to be a double digit win team if Allen is healthy and their division allows them a good chance at home field.  And the Ravens have this new coaching staff that seems great and a huge upgrade over what they had.  Plenty of other teams can win 1 or 2 games in the AFC but I don’t see any of them making the SB if Allen, Lamar and Mahomes stay healthy.  My pick: Ravens finally break through.

NFC Champion

I have to take the Rams. They are old and have some depth issues but the top end talent is just too good to ignore. Seattle, Detroit and Dallas can also get there and I won’t be surprised if any do but I will take the Rams top talent over those teams’ depth.

SB champion

Rams.  Hard to pick against them. They aren’t going undefeated and they do have some concerns but right now, on paper, they are the clear best team.

Darin McCann

While there is certainly a ton of optimism and hope in the 2026 Ravens, there are also a ton of question marks — and that pretty much squares with what we see from the rest of the league.

Are the Rams the prohibitive favorite? Of course. Their top-end talent is better than anybody else’s top-end talent, and they have a head coach and quarterback who have proven they can finish this thing off with a ring.

But…

It’s a top-heavy roster. If some of those stars go down, or age hits one with an uppercut to the jaw, it can go south. And that’s the case with a lot of teams. So, we go into this with the information we have – today — and go from there. Here’s how I think it pans out.

• I think the Ravens win the AFC North and make it to the AFC Championship Game. My thinking is Jesse Minter will be able to fix the defense and turn that talent into a top unit, and that Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company can make enough plays to make the offense. I just don’t know about Declan Doyle yet, though, and I am a bit concerned about the offense being consistent down to down until he’s proven himself as a play-caller.
• NFL MVP: Josh Allen. If it’s close, I think the voters tab Allen. He’s the new Golden Boy.
• AFC DPOY: Will Anderson. He scares me. That’s a good trait in a pass-rusher.
• NFC DPOY: Myles Garrett. He’s awesome. That won’t change in L.A.
• AFC OPOY: Allen
• NFC OPOY: Puka Nacua. He might make you raise your eyebrows with some of his off-field stuff, but he also makes you raise them for his on-field stuff. He’s terrific, and one of the best blocking receivers I’ve ever seen, to boot.
• AFC Top Rookie: Carnell Tate. He’s going to get a ton of targets, and the guy has good hands.
• NFC Top Rookie: Jeremiyah Love. I’m a Notre Dame fan. Leave me alone.
• Comeback Player of the Year AFC: Patrick Mahomes. If he’s good again, it’s his.
• Comeback Player of the Year NFC: Kyler Murray. Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison give him a chance of finally reaching his potential. If not here, where?
• Surprise Team: Carolina Panthers. They’ve been low-key drafting well, and I like how the potential of their offense. They’re going to win double digits.

Super Bowl: Seahawks 20 Texans 16

Seahawks won’t throw a pick at the goal line during this title-defense attempt and go back-to-back.

John Hughey

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs +550

Gibbs was my choice last season, but I’m doubling down this year. Gibbs finished 2025 with 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and now will serve as the primary back in the Lions offense. David Montgomery is in Houston now, and Isaiah Pacheco’s start on the IR gives Gibbs four weeks to get the season rolling on a high note. The fourth-year back has topped the 1,000 yard mark in each of his first three seasons, but I see Gibbs topping his 2024 career high of 1,517.

DPOY: Will Anderson Jr. +700

The safest bet here would be selecting the reigning DPOY and new single season sack record holder, Myles Garrett, but it’s Anderson’s time to shine. The fourth-year edge rusher is coming off a season in which he established himself as a top defensive player in the league. Back-to-back seasons with 16+ total sacks in the regular and post season, and now the addition of a veteran linebacker line Jadeveon Clowney, on one of the leagues best defenses could really put him in the spotlight. The Texans enter 2026 with the 7th-easiest schedule in the NFL, with a Week 1 matchup against Buffalo, who Anderson recorded 3 sacks against last year. He’s currently the 2nd-highest favorite to take home the award.

OROY: Jadarian Price +600

It was tough for me to decide between the two Notre Dame first round picks, Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, but it’s hard not to bet on a guy expected to replace the role of Kenneth Walker. Price brings a little bit of everything to Seattle, with an explosive run style and ability to break plays in the return game. Zach Charbonnet is coming off a season ending knee injury last season, giving Price the chance to earn some trust early. His lack of carries isn’t a knock on his skill at all, but more so due to being behind Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love. His first opportunity to take the role of RB1, and an offense that has the supporting cast around him to not lean solely on the rookie.

DROY: Arvell Reese +900

John Harbaugh goes from Kyle Hamilton, to one of the best defensive players in the 2026 draft. The fifth overall pick joins a defense of Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kavyon Thibodeaux up front, with a chance to rack up stats against easy matchups. His versatility is his strongest skill set, and playing alongside three guys capable of getting to the quarterback, gives him the upper-hand on his fellow rookies. Harbaugh has stated he could see Reese playing multiple gaps and on the edge, something he’ll need, rather than playing off-ball. He’s currently holds +900 odds to take home the award, according to DraftKings, as Reese looks to be the first player under John Harbaugh to take home the award.

MVP: Lamar Jackson +800

I’m taking the side of history on this one, as Lamar Jackson will look to take home his third MVP. It’d be the third time he takes home the award in year one under a new offensive coordinator, and with the receiving core he has, it’s hard not to think it’s possible. When healthy, there’s not a quarterback better in the league, and with a revamped offensive line he could have a 2024-esque season. With the addition of DJ Moore in Buffalo, I do see another Allen v Jackson battle coming down to the end, but I’m taking the three-time First Team All-Pro. Jackson currently has the second-highest odds behind Allen, despite both entering the season with a first-year head coach. Call it bias if you want, but it’s house money on Jackson for the 2026 season.

Comeback Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes +190

You could make the case for Jayden Daniels or Kyler Murray, but it’s hard to imagine a world in which Mahomes doesn’t leave the award show with the usual Joe Burrow winning. Coming off a season ending knee-injury, it appears to be “one last ride’ with Mahomes partner in crime Travis Kelce. Mahomes has been ahead of schedule throughout camp, appearing to be on track to return early, should he miss Week 1. Appearing in 14 of 17 games, Mahomes finished the year with a career low in passing yards(3,587), passing touchdowns(22), and completion percentage(62.7), since becoming starter in 2018. I’m taking the safe bet here, and taking the 2x MVP to bounce-back in his return in 2026.

Surprise Team: Raiders 8+ Wins

Surprise Let Down: Eagles 6-8 Wins

AFC Champion: Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens

NFC Champion: Los Angeles Rams over Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl Champion: Los Angeles Rams over Denver Broncos

Jason Woolbert

Last year’s attempt at being bold – as in taking long odds – was rough. The only success was Seattle hitting on 10+ wins and the division win. Odds are long for a reason, right? Again I will use the odds from FanDuel as of today, and I’ll be lowering the cap a bit to +1000 for players and +500 for champions.

OPOY: Jonathan Taylor (+2000)

DPOY: Christian Gonzalez (+5500)

OROY: Ja’Kobi Lane (+2200)

DROY: Cashius Howell (+5500)

NFL MVP: Caleb Williams (+1500)

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid (+6000)

Comeback Player of the Year: Micah Parsons (+4000)

Pleasant surprise: New Orleans Saints (+205 to make playoffs; +280 to win ten games)

Surprising letdown: Detroit Lions (+136 to miss playoffs; +175 to lose eight games)

AFC Champion: Denver Broncos (+900) over Baltimore Ravens (+600)

NFC Champion: Seattle Seahawks (+600) over Philadelphia Eagles (+900)

Super Bowl champion: Denver Broncos (+1900)

The last two time winner of the OPOY was Drew Brees 15 years ago and the last QB to win was Patrick Mahomes 8 years ago. Going off those trends it makes sense the four favorites are in order: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Ja’Marr Chase and Puka Nacua. Looking a little farther down I’ll take Jonathan Taylor. He needs to stay healthy of course, but he has a top notch OL in front of him and we can only go off the assumption Daniel Jones plays more games.

Twelve of the thirteen lowest odds to win DPOY are edge players, which begs me to go elsewhere for betting value even though I do think Myles Garrett will get his third award in four seasons. Gonzalez is in a contract year and doesn’t have a deal, and he’s got the talent to have a nutty season.

Why not Ja’Kobi Lane? Things are falling in place for him to finish the season second on the Ravens in receiving yards and perhaps first in receiving TD. Really, look at his opportunity next to the other favorites (yes, Lane is top ten in odds). Jeremiyah Love is the favorite for good reason and he’s already banged up. Mendoza is not starting, and the rest are in competition like Lane is. Momentum is a thing.

DROY is tough with the top five odds under +1000 and it’s hard to justify not taking one of them (Reuben Bain Jr, David Bailey, Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles). There are a couple sack artists however that can sneak in a double digit sack season in Howell and Malachi Lawrence. Call this one a low confidence pick because Bain is a monster.

I’m not going off the QB position for MVP this time; it’s just not happening. Caleb Williams having the eighth lowest odds of the selection of QBs doesn’t seem too bad. He’s going to need to pile up the stats to keep the Bears competitive because the defense has problems. Momentum is on his side, so if he takes the next step in his development I can envision the media narrative turning into the award.

I’ll quote this from last season: Ironically the best odds for coach of the year lie with the best coaches on the best teams, because of the bizarre psychology that they’re supposed to win. The two lowest odds to win COY this time? Would you believe John Harbaugh (+650) and Jesse Minter (+850)? Mike Macdonald and Mike Vrabel, not so much. So I’m beating the Andy Reid drum, because this is a rare year where his team can improve a lot in the standings, and again you have the lifetime achievement factor.

For Raven fans, this a good year to go homer with Trey Hendrickson sitting at +4500 for Comeback Player. I think he’s going to tee off. Parsons however is the bigger national story. He’s starting the season on PUP which is why his odds are higher than they could be. Rumor is he’ll be pushing the earliest possible return (week 5 with the current rules), and the season is 17 games long. It’s already established how much he means to Green Bay’s defense.

I thought about picking the Vikings for surprise team but I’ll head to the quagmire that is the NFC South and select the Saints. They may very well have the best QB in the division in Tyler Shough. Yes you read that right. They made some shrewd signings (David Edwards, Travis Etienne, Kaden Ellis) and promising picks, though Jordyn Tyson starts the season on IR. Their schedule is easy too.

It’s curious to me that a team in a division where any team can win is sitting at such high odds to fail. This is a team with potential problems. Neither of their week one starters at safety are Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph. They lost their center and Juice Scruggs is the replacement. They’re one RB injury away from featuring Jacob Saylors. I like the Lions but I think this is the best bet.

The only team completely off the table for me is the Rams which is understandable. Buffalo’s out for the AFC. I’m going to say Dallas finally gets back to the NFCCG; of course they won’t win it just because, but it’s a step forward. My heart refuses to let me jinx the Ravens so I have them advancing to the AFCCG where Denver will take over. The excuse is that Denver has a top offensive line. We’ve had instances of teams losing the second of back-to-back Super Bowls and that guess is as good as any other.

Will all of that, here’s to the upcoming chaos of the NFL season that will make us all look silly!

Nick Polinsky

NFL MVP: Justin Herbert

Herbert has always had plenty of talent but with Mike McDaniel’s offensive system and Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater healthy I expect both Herbert and his No.1 WR Ladd McConkey to have big years.

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs

The ultra-talented Gibbs now has even less backfield competition than he did a year ago with David Montgomery.

DPOY: Myles Garrett

I think another 20+ sack season is well within the realm of possibility, especially with the offseason addition of Aaron Donald

OROY: Jeremiyah Love

The talent is too prevalent and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to show it off. Mendoza starting off on the bench does make this award a little more open though.

DROY: Rueben Bain Jr.

Bain is an absolute stud, regardless of how he measured at the combine. The Bucs aren’t too deep on the edge which means he should get plenty of run.

Biggest Surprise: New Orleans Saints

I think the Saints are a team with genuine double digit win upside. The defense may just be average but Cam Jordan and Chase Young still anchor the d-line and the average has true top 10 upside. Watch out for Tyler Shough this season. Honorable mention to the Vikings as well.

Biggest Disappointment: New England Patriots

I could see a Lions-type slip up this season. The AFC is tough and we’ve seen time after time that even if playoff success comes in one season nothing is guaranteed in the next.

AFCCG: Ravens over Bills

NFC Championship: Rams over Seahawks

Super Bowl: Ravens over Rams

There’s obviously some bias that goes into this but the Ravens are very well equipped to go far, and the books agree. The Rams and Seahawks are going to duke it out in the NFC all year long.

Andrew Kordula

MVP: Joe Burrow

Sorry, Ravens fans, I see close to a 5,000-yard season out of Burrow this year and a return to the playoffs for the Bengals, who seem to be undervalued at this point.

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs

With David Montgomery off to Houston, that can only mean more carries for one of the most dynamic backs in the league. He’s going to capitalize.

DPOY: Myles Garrett

I’m going chalk on this one too. With Aaron Donald back in the mix, you can’t double-team everybody. This should open up even more opportunities for Garrett. Oh, and one thing we tend to forget is that he’s never played with a team that played from ahead before. Please pray for the quarterbacks on the Rams’ schedule.

OROY: Jadarian Price

It took a lot for me not to take Jeremiyah Love here, but it came down to the team they’re on. Both will have an immediate impact, but Price will be on a team fighting for a Super Bowl, not one fighting for the first pick of next year’s draft.

DROY: Rueben Bain Jr.

I think there are better players on the defensive side of the ball in this year’s class, but you’re looking for impact for these awards. Bain should be able to put up the numbers to lock him into DROY honors.

Coach of the Year: Mike Macdonald

I wanted to take Minter here because I do believe he’ll be in consideration, but as long as the Seahawks have another solid season, this has Macdonald’s name all over it.

Surprise Team (Good): New Orleans

They have a relatively easy schedule, play in a dumpster-fire division, and made a few key moves this offseason. I think they’ll be in the 8-10 win range, but that may be good enough to win the NFC South.

Surprise Team (Bad): New England

I’m not buying it. I wasn’t buying it last year. Throw in an offseason scandal with Vrabel, and this is a recipe for disaster.

Super Bowl: LA Rams 35 – Cincinnati Bengals 23

It disgusts me to make this pick for several reasons, but in a rematch of Super Bowl LVI, the Rams take down the Bengals and claim another Super Bowl. The Rams are just too loaded not to make a run. One extra crazy prediction: It’s Ty Simpson, not Matthew Stafford, who wins this for the Rams.

Jared Pinder

AFC Champion: Houston Texans

Man, this team gives me big 2015 Broncos Vibes. A Murder’s Row of talent on the Edge mixed with playmakers on the back end. They really should have made the Super Bowl last year had it not been for Stroud pooping his pants on the field. All this offense has to do is not be awful and turn the ball over, and this team could be dominating. I get Stroud was awful to end the year, but this team deserves a ton of respect because they have everything it takes to be good.

NFC Champion: Los Angeles Rams

I would love to be bold here and say something else, but I just can’t. I’m taking the coward’s way out on this one, people. This is probably the best football team I have ever seen on the gridiron. Now add the best player I have ever seen, with the best edge I have ever seen, playing with an MVP quarterback and an elite coach? Man, if they can’t win the Super Bowl, something went wrong.

Super Bowl Champion: Rams

Again going chalk on this one. This team is so good that how can they not win the Super Bowl? I get injuries may happen, and football can be weird, but this is such an easy layup.

NFL MVP: Josh Allen

It’s time for the which quarterback had the best year award. This time, however, Josh will actually earn this award. Unless Stafford goes back-to-back, I think Allen has the easiest path to MVP. Lamar is in a new system; Mahomes has no weapons; Stafford might, but he would have to go back-to-back, so Josh is the choice here.

OPOY: Justin Jefferson

With an actual real living being at quarterback, I see big things ahead for Jefferson this year. I think he reminds people why he was the best receiver in the NFL for a time.

DPOY: Myles Garrett

This is such a no-brainer. Garrett was doing amazing things with Cleveland; now he gets a true super team around him. Imagine what he can do now with Aaron Donald coming back next to him and a great secondary as well.

OROY: Carnell Tate

Man, this award was hell to pick. I wanted Love, but he is hurt right now, and that ankle really scares me. I thought Sadiq for the Jets would be sneaky, but he has missed all of camp, which I feel like might leave his year in a limited role. I actually feel like Tate has the easiest route here to get this award with all of these injuries.

DROY: Caleb Downs

It broke my heart to go against Rueben Bain, but I am going out on a whim and will say that I think Downs can transform this Dallas defense. He is the exact type of playmaker they have needed on the back end, and I foresee a huge year for him.

Comeback Player of the Year: Lamar Jackson

Even in a new system that I feel like may take some time getting used to, I foresee Lamar lighting it up and reminding the entire NFL why he is so good again this year.

Good Surprise: Minnesota Vikings

I don’t know why I have a feeling about the Vikings this year, but man, I just do. I’m not a huge Kyler Murray fan, but this team has needed any semblance of a quarterback, and I think they can make it work. This roster is also very underrated, and they have an elite coaching staff as well.

Bad Surprise: New England Patriots

This team just gives me Commanders vibes this year. The Super Bowl hangover can hit any team, and this team just looks primed for it. They sleepwalked to a Super Bowl last year, and while they do have A.J. Brown now, this team just screams regression candidate, and Drake Maye needs to play at a near-superstar level for this core not to crumble this year.

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